| The Master Locksmiths Association is a non-profit making
body; established to set and promote standards of conduct, practice and
materials within locksmithing. It also encourages its members to further
their knowledge through ongoing education, regional meetings, seminars and
the information disseminated made available through its membership magazine,
Keyways. Standards of entry to the MLA are high and its motto of "Skill
and Integrity" emphasise its determination to ensure that the public,
government and industry receive the correct service and advice on security
matters from its members.
From a small friendly meeting of `like-minded’ locksmiths in London,
it has evolved into the professional organisation that it is today. The
first meeting group instigated the embryonic Master Locksmiths Association
in 1958 and in 1986 it became a limited company. 1994 saw a major restructure
and now the membership is world-wide.
The MLA is recognised as the authoritative body for locksmithing by:
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- The Police
many forces will encourage those in need of a locksmith to use MLA Trade
Division members.
- Home Office
The MLA has been instrumental in campaigning for national standards
in the locksmith industry and the regulation (through licensing) of
the Private security Industry.
- British Standards Institute
the MLA supplies a panel of its members to assess locks under BS3621
clauses 4 and I 0 on their behalf.
- Sold Secure
An attack test house, wholly owned by the MLA. It operates its own scheme,
which is recognised by the Home Office, insurers and police. All testers
are MLA members and the assessments are to its’ own high specifications.
- Association of British Insurers (ABI), Building Research Establishment
(BRE) and many other trade and professional bodies all acknowledge the
MLA as the authoritative body in its’ field.
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